Course: This stage, which starts in the Belgian city of Huy on the right bank of the Meuse River at the foot of the infamous Mur de Huy, brings the Tour back to France. It traces some of the roads of the Mur’s classic, the Flèche Wallonne, climbing a couple of Ardennes hills in the opening 60km; but then it heads southeast on a flat-to-rolling route, mainly on wide, straight roads till it reaches the French border. The final two hours will be hectic, first on 80km of twisting, undulating back road through the countryside of Picardy, until the race reaches a straight, hilly highway inside 15km to go. Into St. Quentin, the riders cross a bridge they cross in Paris-Roubaix before engaging the uphill sprint that curves left in the final 200 meters.

History: St. Quentin has only once hosted the Tour, in 1938, when it was the finish of a 42km time trial from Laon, sandwiched between two road stages on the penultimate day! The TT winner was Belgian Félicien Vervaecke, who would finish second overall to Gino Bartali in Paris 24 hours later.

Stage 4: Huy to Saint Quentin - 207km

Favorites: This stage should produce a fascinating battle between breakaways and the sprinters’ teams on the small roads of the last two hours. The late-stage stretch of wide roads, small hills and a probable head wind will condemn the break and lead to a sprint that favors McEwen over Boonen and Hushovd.